Canned Sardine Recipes (2024)

Home » 25 Tasty Canned Sardine Recipes

by Dana Sandonato//July 15, 2022 (updated May 23, 2023)

Sardine lovers, rejoice! We’ve got 25 canned sardine recipes that will let you enjoy your favorite fillets morning, day, and night.

Table of Contents

Sardines Are Tiny, but Mighty!

It’s no secret that oily fish are a best choice when it comes to heart health—and canned sardines are nutritional powerhouses!

They’re high in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids which help prevent heart disease thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties. They can also reduce the risk of blood clots and help to lower blood pressure.

A lot of canned sardine fanatics are happy to eat them straight out of the can with some crackers, and that’s cool.

But in an attempt to boast how versatile these little fillets are, we’ve collected 25 canned sardine recipes that will give you ideas for any time of the day.

4 Tasty Ways to Start Your Day With Canned Sardines.

Brunch Bagel with Sardines. This bagel is smothered with whipped cream cheese, then topped with crisp veggies and canned Sardines. Healthy, wholesome, and delectable!
Breakfast Egg and Tomato Sardine Sandwich. Who doesn’t love a breakfast sandwich? This one is eggy and drippy and packed with Omega-3s.
Easy Fisherman’s Eggs. These Easy Fisherman’s Eggs are protein-packed thanks to canned sardines, eggs, and fresh veggies. Serve them with arugula and toast for a complete breakfast or brunch!
Fisherman’s Huevos Rancheros. This recipe takes the concept of Fisherman’s Eggs and marries it with the beloved huevos rancheros, and it’s a WIN.

5 Glorious Canned Sardine Lunches That Serve as a Fab Pick-Me-Up.

Green Goddess Pita with Sardines. This pita is super filling and refreshing with an easy homespun Green Goddess dressing you’ll CRAVE.
Cheddar Jalapeño Gourmet Grilled Cheese with Sardines. Because grown ups like grilled cheese sandwiches, too! This one is ooey gooey perfection with a little kick from the jalapeños.
Greek Pita with Sardines. All of the Greek flavors we love rolled up into a wholesome and satisfying pita with canned sardines.
Spicy Tostadas with Sardines. Crispy corn tortillas are topped with refried beans, quick-pickled onions, juicy tomatoes, cotija cheese, and brisling sardines that have been packed with punchy jalapeño peppers.
Spicy Sardine Salad Sandwich. Tuna salad can take a backseat for a while, because these sardine salad sandwiches are DELISH.

8 Ways to Put Canned Sardines on Your Dinner Table.

Instant Pot Pesto Pasta with Sardines. A quick and simple 15-minute pasta packed with nutrients! It’s the perfect weeknight fix.
Seafood Stuffed Peppers with Sardines. These low carb seafood stuffed peppers are brimming with fragrant basmati rice, sautéed veggies, meaty shrimp, and sardines in tomato sauce.
Tex Mex Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Sardines. Tex Mex Stuffed Zucchini Boats with Sardines give you a healthy dose of protein, fiber, and Omega-3s.
Instant Pot Spanish Rice with Sardines. Rice is pressure cooked in broth with tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and a blend of aromatic spices. Once the rice is ready, fold in some delicious sardines for protein.
Easy Fish Tacos with Sardines. This recipe is much healthier than your usual deep-fried fish tacos! There’s no cooking required and it’s ready in minutes.
Dirty Rice with Sardines. Get your tastebuds ready: this Dirty Rice is a delicious spin on the classic Louisiana dish with shrimp and meaty sardine fillets.
Lemon Pepper Pasta with Sardines. Bright and lemony is the name of the game here. This 30-minute pasta is tossed with garlic, lemon juice, arugula, and peppery sardines.
Crispy Fish Po’Boy Sandwiches. These Crispy Fish Po’boy Sandwiches are slathered with lemon tarragon mayo and stuffed with tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and homemade fish cakes made from boneless and skinless sardines.

8 Canned Sardine Appetizers Made to Share.

Greens and Beans with Sardines. Greens and Beans, but make it with an extra punch of protein!
Lemon and Dill Pinwheel Sandwiches with Sardines. These brightly flavored pinwheel sandwiches bring sardines to a whole new level.
Quick Tomato Confit on Toasts with Sardines. Easy peasy toasts with tomato confit topped with sardines become a wholesome and nutritious starter.
Greek Pinwheels with Sardines. A different kind of pinwheel! These are buttery and golden and filled with Greek flavors with pesto, olives, pine nuts, feta, and Mediterranean-style canned sardines!
Spring Snap Pea and Radish Canapés with Sardines. Fresh baguette slices with lemony anchovy butter and topped with crisp radishes, sweet peas, tender brisling sardines, and fresh dill for the perfect spring appetizer.
Easy Stuffed Mushrooms with Spicy Sardines. Plump mushroom caps stuffed with garlic, cream cheese, pickled jalapeños, and sardines, and topped with a crumby coating and baked to golden perfection.
Bang Bang Fish Sliders. These sweet and spicy Bang Bang Fish Sliders are everything you love about Bang Bang Fish Tacos in tiny burger form!
Crispy Fish Croquettes. Golden crispy fish croquettes made up with canned sardines. Serve them with a tangy mustard sauce for a little extra oomph!

Did You Find This Round-up Useful?
If you enjoyed this collection of canned sardine recipes, please let us know by leaving feedback in the comments section below.
You can also show off your creations on Instagram by tagging @killing__thyme

posted in: Food, Recipe Round-up // 42 comments

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42 Comments on “25 Tasty Canned Sardine Recipes”

April —July 29, 2023 @ 3:05 pm Reply
Wow! I love sardines and had NO idea of being able to put them in such recipes!! I have several bookmarked to try very soon; especially the toasted cheese and the lemon pasta! Thank you
- Killing Thyme —August 1, 2023 @ 1:13 pm Reply
  I hope you love them, April! Keep me posted on what you try :)
Natasha —July 19, 2023 @ 4:37 pm Reply
I love all the options. I grew up just eating them with crackers with my Jamaican grandfather. I tried the sardine lemon pasta and it was delicious! So bright! I look forward to experimenting with these other recipes!
- Killing Thyme —August 28, 2023 @ 10:14 am Reply
  I’m so glad you enjoyed the pasta! I love the memories of eating them with your grandfather. Nothing beats a food that invokes memories!
Fernanda —March 19, 2023 @ 4:27 pm Reply
It’s the brunch bagels for me. Outstanding!
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- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:53 pm Reply
  They’re SO good! One of my faves.
Tara —March 1, 2023 @ 10:20 am Reply
Such a wonderful collection of recipes to use canned sardines! I especially love the Brunch Bagel with Sardines and Lemon Pepper Pasta with Sardines.
- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:52 pm Reply
  That bagel is seriously one of my favorites :)
Dannii —March 1, 2023 @ 10:19 am Reply
So much great choice here. I can’t wait to try them.
- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:52 pm Reply
  Thank you!
Wanda —March 1, 2023 @ 10:11 am Reply
So many options for using sardines and several I have never thought to try before! Thanks for all the great ideas!
- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:51 pm Reply
  You’re so welcome!
Christina Morris —March 1, 2023 @ 10:05 am Reply
That pita looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it!
- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:51 pm Reply
  Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Ilya —February 23, 2023 @ 10:34 am Reply
I’ve made the green goddess pita and it was unbelievable. Bookmarked this list so I can make more. You have a talent with sardines!
- Killing Thyme —March 19, 2023 @ 6:51 pm Reply
  Aw, thanks so much, Ilya!
Adrianne —February 6, 2023 @ 7:31 pm Reply
Tiny but mighty…I love it! Your photos are beautiful and I am craving sardines now. The Spanish rice and sardines is one that I would like to try, it sounds full of flavour. Thanks for sharing.
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- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 7:51 pm Reply
  Thanks so much, Adrianne! That one has gotten quite a bit of love, so it would be a great one to start with. Let me know if you try it!
Seema Sriram —February 6, 2023 @ 6:51 pm Reply
This is a wonderfully comprehensive list of recipes to try with canned sardines. I am sure each one will turn out as good as in the pictures too.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 7:51 pm Reply
  Thank you!
Kathleen —February 6, 2023 @ 6:49 pm Reply
I had no idea you could do so much with canned sardines. looking forward to trying these.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 7:51 pm Reply
  I hope you find something you enjoy! Keep me posted.
Anjali —February 6, 2023 @ 6:45 pm Reply
This is such a helpful guide to using canned sardines! I didn’t know there were so many different ways to use them in cooking – can’t wait to try these soon!
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 7:50 pm Reply
  They are surprisingly versatile!
Barb —December 15, 2022 @ 10:45 pm Reply
I want to try a bunch of these!
- Killing Thyme —December 16, 2022 @ 10:39 am Reply
  Please let me know if you do!
Chris —October 15, 2022 @ 3:15 pm Reply
So many ways to use Sardines. Can’t wait to try them all out. I feel you can also try them out with canned tuna.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:36 pm Reply
  Yes! Absolutely you can.
Leila Jean —August 15, 2022 @ 4:32 pm Reply
This is a great compilation. I’m considered the weirdo in my family and loooooove sardines. It’s awesome to see them used in so many different ways.
- Killing Thyme —August 15, 2022 @ 4:39 pm Reply
  Sardines are a miss with so many people! Happy you’ve found this collection :)
Traci —August 3, 2022 @ 6:04 pm Reply
You always kill it with the sardines, girl! What a delicious lineup! Thanks so much for sharing another winner :)
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:36 pm Reply
  Aw, thanks so much, Traci!
Cathleen —August 3, 2022 @ 5:39 pm Reply
I love sardines!! This is the roundup that I needed! Thank you so much for sharing, I am definitely going to be making a lot of these recipes :)
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:38 pm Reply
  Great to hear!
Roxana —August 3, 2022 @ 4:29 pm Reply
Wow, I love this. So many different ways to use sardines. We always have this and its nice to have recipes to try variations.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:38 pm Reply
  Hope it brings you inspiration!
Andrea —August 3, 2022 @ 4:20 pm Reply
I’m in awe with this list. I can’t wait to get started making these. They all sound fantastic.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:37 pm Reply
  Thank you!
Andrea —August 3, 2022 @ 3:44 pm Reply
I’ve never made anything with sardines before but these look so good! I can’t wait to try one.
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:37 pm Reply
  Keep me posted!
Tayler Ross —July 27, 2022 @ 4:01 pm Reply
We always have a can of sardines in the pantry, so I’m so glad I’ve happened upon this list! It will be great when I don’t have anything ready for dinner!
- Killing Thyme —February 6, 2023 @ 4:37 pm Reply
  Good luck! Let me know what you try :)

FAQs

What can you do with canned sardines? ›

Recipes

Curry Tuna Salad Cups.
Brussels Sprout Sardine Caesar Salad.
Crispy Chickpea Tuna Salad.
Lemon Dill Sardine Melt.
Crispy Tuna Egg Rolls.
Sardine Buddha Bowl.

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How can you eat canned sardines? ›

Consider trying our Sardine a la Greek salad or Mackerel Farro Salad recipes. Grill them: Even though canned sardines are already cooked, you can still grill them to enhance their flavor. Fry them: Pan-fry sardines and toss them on leafy greens with an additive vinaigrette for an easy-to-make meal.

Keep Reading ›

How do the French eat canned sardines? ›

And as with all things culinary, the French really do them right. Whether they be grilled then bathed in extra-virgin olive oil before being tinned, or combined with a bit of gentle pepper, or layered with sliced lemon, or just simply put in the tin, they're delicious.

What can I do with an open can of sardines? ›

Yes, you can store opened or partially-eaten sardines in the refrigerator! Because tin containers cannot be resealed after opening, place the sardines in a glass or plastic airtight container with a lid. (Glass containers are preferable, as they are less likely to retain stains or odors.)

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Should you rinse canned sardines? ›

If you can't find a brand that has a “No Salt Added” version, look for sardines that are packed in spring water. Then, rinsing the sardines may help to reduce some of the salt content. Just empty the can into a colander and rinse with cold water, shaking it and turning the sardines as you rinse.

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How to make canned sardines taste good? ›

Sardines, very oily little fish, really love a lot of acid. It is hard to beat fresh lemon juice squeezed over them, but a vinegar — white wine, rice wine or white distilled — is also good. To give you a sense of how much to use, I often douse them in my choice of acid, almost as if I were treating them like escabeche.

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What to pair with sardines? ›

The best side dishes to serve with sardines are garden salad, potato wedges, pita bread, sautéed mushrooms, seed crackers, avocado salad, steamed broccoli, tomato bruschetta, tomato tortellini soup, couscous salad, grilled zucchini, roasted beet salad, lemon rice, garlic spinach, herb-roasted potatoes.

Is it OK to eat canned sardines every day? ›

While canned sardines are a low-mercury fish choice, Manaker notes, "eating them frequently—as in more than four times a week—may be a concern, since you could potentially be exposed to too much [mercury]." While this shouldn't scare you (especially if you're consuming less than 8 ounces per week), it's important to ...

How do the British eat sardines? ›

Sardines are delicious mashed straight out of the tin on buttered toast or barbecued fresh.

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How do Greeks eat sardines? ›

Greeks traditionally consumed the small, cheap fish: sardines and anchovies that also happen to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Typically, sardines are consumed grilled and very often they are cured.

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How do you doctor up canned sardines? ›

Parsley can give a slightly bitter taste that can balance the oiliness of the sardines and olive oil. Add one or two finely chopped sage leaves for a herby, peppery addition. Chop the fresh herbs so they can fully incorporate into your canned sardines. You don't necessarily want an entire sage leaf in one bite.

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Do canned sardines need to be gutted? ›

Typically, you can expect canned sardines to be gutted and descaled, and often, the heads and gills are also removed.

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Do I need to cook sardines from a can? ›

You can eat them right out of the can, top them with onions or peppers, or add condiments such as mustard, mayo, or hot sauce. Usually, the heads have been removed, but you'll be eating the skin and bones. In fact, that's where some health benefits lie.

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How many cans of sardines can you eat a day? ›

Also, Consumer Lab testing found that sardines were “very low in mercury” compared to albacore tuna levels, which came in 10 to 20 times higher. They note, however, that because of the arsenic levels in sardines, it's not recommended to eat more than one can per day.

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Are sardines in a can cooked or raw? ›

Canned sardines

At the cannery, the fish are washed, their heads are removed, and then smoked or cooked, either by deep-frying or by steam-cooking, after which they are dried. They are then packed in either olive, sunflower, or soybean oil, water, or in a tomato, chili, or mustard sauce.

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What food goes well with sardines? ›